Chapter 1: Sleep of the Just
Dream: We begin... In the waking world, which humanity insists on calling the real world... As if your dreams have no effect upon the choices you make… You mortals go about your work, your loves, your wars, as if your waking lives are all that matter… But there is another life which awaits you when you close your eyes... And enter my realm… For I am the King of Dreams... And Nightmares… When the waking world leaves you wanting and weary, sleep brings you here to find freedom and adventure… To face your fears and fantasies in Dreams and Nightmares that I create... And which I must control, lest they consume and destroy you. That is my purpose and my function. Or it was, until I left my kingdom to pursue a rogue Nightmare.
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Lucienne: My Lord, you are coming back, aren't you?
Dream: Why would I not return, Lucienne?
Lucienne: I don't know, a presentiment. As powerful as you are here in your realm, Dreams rarely survive in the waking world. Nightmares, on the other hand, seem to thrive there.
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Driver: Wake up, sir, we're here. Fawney Rig.
John Hathaway: Already? I must have dozed off… Thank you.
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John Hathaway: Good afternoon, lad. My name is Dr. John Hathaway… Of the Royal Museum?
Alex Burgess: Are you here to see the Magus?
John Hathaway: Well, I've come to see Mr. Roderick Burgess.
Alex Burgess: Father likes to be called Magus. It means sorcerer.
John Hathaway: Hmm.
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Disciples: Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness.
Ruthven Sykes: The Magus will receive his guest in the study, Alex.
Alex Burgess: Yes, Mr. Sykes.
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Alex Burgess: Have you come to join Father's Order? The Order of Ancient Mysteries.
Roderick Burgess: Dr. Hathaway, what an unexpected pleasure… Alex, tea for our guest. Please, sit down. You must be exhausted from your journey.
John Hathaway: Thank you.
Roderick Burgess: I take it you've reconsidered, then?
John Hathaway: After our meeting at the museum... I know what I said. I received a telegram this morning. My son, Edmund, his destroyer was sunk last week, off Jutland.
Roderick Burgess: Oh, my condolences, Doctor… We are bonded then, in our grief, you and I. As you know, I lost my son Randall recently at Gallipoli.
John Hathaway: Forgive me, I... I understood that Randall was your only son.
Roderick Burgess: Randall was my greatest joy… All this was meant to be his… So, have you brought it, the Magdalene Grimoire?
John Hathaway: If I give you the book... Can you really... Capture the Angel of Death?
Roderick Burgess: Oh, yes… With the spells recorded in this book, we can compel Death to return our sons to us. Your Edmund and my Randall will live again.
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Alex Burgess: It's all right, Dr. Hathaway. Here.
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Roderick Burgess: Tonight, we will achieve what no one before us has even attempted. We will summon and imprison Death… Here in the darkness.
Disciples: Here in the darkness.
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Dream: Corinthian… My creations stay in The Dreaming. They do not walk amongst the living, killing mortals for pleasure.
Corinthian: Isn't this why you created me? Why should we confine ourselves to their sleeping minds? Here, in the waking world, we're unstoppable. There is nothing preventing us from taking whoever, whatever we want.
Dream: There is though.
Corinthian: My Lord... Please, no. No, no, no, I beg you… Please...
Disciples: Here in the darkness.
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Roderick Burgess: I give you a coin made from a stone.
Disciples: Here in the darkness.
Roderick Burgess: I give you a knife from under the hills, and I give you the blood from out of my vein.
Disciples: Here in the darkness.
Roderick Burgess: I give you a song I stole from the dirt, and I give you a feather pulled from an angel's wing, for you to lift up into the heavens.
Disciples: Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness.
Roderick Burgess: I summon you with poison.
Disciples: Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness.
Roderick Burgess: I summon you with pain.
Disciples: Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness.
Roderick Burgess: I open the way, I open the gates.
Disciples: Here in the darkness. Here in the darkness.
Roderick Burgess: I summon you in the names of the old lords. Namtar, Allatu, Morax... Maborym calls you. Horvendile calls you. We summon you together. Come!
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Roderick Burgess: Alex. Alex! Get that pouch for me. But be careful… Don't break the binding circle… Hmm. Sand. Now the jewel. There. Good… Well, let's see what other treasures you have for us… The bird!
Alex Burgess: Father!
Roderick Burgess: No! No! Stop… Move… Hmm… We'll let our guest recover before we tell him our demands… Guards, watch him.
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Dream: I was powerless, trapped by a spell cast by an amateur with no concern for the damage he had done to my realm and to his own. For the following morning, there were some sleepers...
James Kincaid: Unity.
Dream: Who could not wake up.
James Kincaid: Unity… Rise and shine, dormouse. Can't have you late to school, can we? Luvvie? Wake up. Unity?
Margaret Kincaid: What's wrong?
James Kincaid: Call the doctor.
Margaret Kincaid: Hello, operator.
Dream: The sleepy sickness, as it was called, affected nearly one million men, women and children in every city, town and village in the world.
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Roderick Burgess: Sykes! Alex!
Corinthian: Oi! Good morning, Magus.
Roderick Burgess: Do I know you?
Corinthian: No, but I know all about you, Roderick, and the being you've trapped in your cellar.
Roderick Burgess: Blackmail then, is it? A shakedown?
Corinthian: Not at all. I'm here to help you. You're gonna need all the help you can get.
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Corinthian: There are benefits to keeping one of The Endless close.
Roderick Burgess: The Endless?
Corinthian: Did you think Death was the only one in charge? The Reaper has family, you know. Desire, Destiny, Despair.
Roderick Burgess: Which one have I got then?
Corinthian: Dream.
Roderick Burgess: What's the good of a god who governs dreams?
Corinthian: Not a god. More than a god. And are men not governed by their dreams? You've taken his vestments? The ruby, the pouch and the helm? They can lend you an aspect of his power. Extend your lifespan, allow you to manipulate others. But you must ensure that he never escapes.
Roderick Burgess: The binding circle is intact.
Corinthian: The circle will not be enough. You must construct a sphere of glass inside the circle to contain Dream's physical manifestation… No one must be allowed to fall asleep in his presence, no one, or he will escape into your dreams. And you don't want that. There are Forced March tablets. Stimulants used to keep trench soldiers awake. See that your guards use them at all times.
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Roderick Burgess: Um... Why are you helping me? What... What is he to you?
Corinthian: Well, you could say that he made me what I am today. And if he ever gets free, he could take it all back… We're being observed.
Roderick Burgess: What? There's nobody here.
Corinthian: Well, you'll have to deal with that one. Her name is Jessamy. She belongs to him. Best of luck... To the both of us.
Roderick Burgess: Will I see you again?
Corinthian: You should hope not.
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Roderick Burgess: You can go… Are you awake? Are you listening? I know who you are... Dream of The Endless… I captured you according to the laws of magic. But it wasn't you I wanted. I wanted Death to return my son Randall, who died in the Gallipoli Campaign… If you give him back to me, alive and well, I'll release you. Is that in your power, Lord of Dreams? No, I suppose not… So, then, what can you give me? If I let you go, if I promise to give you back your things. What, power? Wealth? Immortality? Hmm? Is there nothing you can offer me? Well, have it your way then. And until you're ready to speak, I'll enjoy the gifts you've already given me.
Dream: Day after day, he pleaded for gifts that are not mankind's to receive nor mine to give. So I remained silent. And ten years later...
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Ruthven Sykes: Enjoy yourself.
Guest: Of course.
Dream: Though my presence there remained a secret, my ruby, sand and helm brought youth and prosperity to Roderick Burgess and his followers…
Ruthven Sykes: Enjoy yourselves.
Dream: But for the rest of the world, the suffering continued.
Ruthven Sykes: Alex… You're supposed to be working, not reading… Don't let your father catch you.
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Alex Burgess: Good evening… Excuse me, I'm afraid that there's no more room inside this evening. But if you'd all come back tomorrow...
Man 1: Been out here for hours. We're not goin'.
Alex Burgess: But, I'm afraid that the Magus insists.
Man 2: Oh, the Magus insists, does he?
Man 1: And who are you to speak for the Magus? Who the fuck are you?
Ethel Cripps: He's the Magus' son. You fucking twat… And he can do magic too. Can't you? Do you want him to put a curse on you? Hex you and all your unborn children? No? Then you should leave right now.
Man 2: Can we still come back tomorrow?
Ethel Cripps: Can they?
Alex Burgess: Yeah. If they bring cash.
Ethel Cripps: Well, you heard him. Cash only. Now, piss off.
Alex Burgess: Thanks for that.
Ethel Cripps: You didn't need my help. I'll bet you can do magic, can't you?
Alex Burgess: Can't do much of anything, really.
Ethel Cripps: That's not true. You're more powerful than you know… You can get me in to see the Magus.
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Guard 1: I'm not staying with that thing one second longer than I have to.
Guard 2: We can't just leave him alone.
Guard 1: Why not? He's in his cage, isn't he?
Guard 2: Sometimes I wonder about this job.
Guard 1: Really, "sometimes"?
Guard 2: I do not have the...
Alex Burgess: Morning. You seen Noel and Maurice?
Alex Burgess: No.
Guard 1: They're nearly half hour late.
Alex Burgess: Uh, I could... Watch him, until they get here, if you wanted to go.
Guard 2: See you tomorrow.
Guard 1: Cheers, Alex.
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Alex Burgess: Hello… It's Alex. The Magus' son… See, I don't know whether you can speak or... Or even understand me, but I just wanted to ask... Are you all right in there? No, of course you're not. I'm... I'm sorry about all of this. He's not a bad man, my father, he... He just... See, if you could bring Randall back, or... Or just give him something, anything. Or even just speak to him. Then I am sure he would let you out… See, I... I would let you out if I could.
Roderick Burgess: You would, would you?
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Roderick Burgess: What were you doing down there, huh?
Alex Burgess: Nothing.
Roderick Burgess: You were plotting his escape, weren't you? Conspiring against me? Hmm?
Alex Burgess: No, Father.
Roderick Burgess: What did he say to you?
Alex Burgess: He didn't say anything.
Roderick Burgess: Know what would happen if you let him out?
Alex Burgess: I won't, Magus. I promise.
Roderick Burgess: He'd slaughter you. He'd slaughter all of us. Is that what you want? Is it? Do you wanna die, Alex? Do you? 'Cause if you do, it's relatively simple… Fuck.
Ethel Cripps: Roddy? What is it? What's wrong?
Roderick Burgess: It's Jessamy.
Ethel Cripps: Who's Jessamy?
Roderick Burgess: I've been trying to shoot this wretched bird for ten years now.
Alex Burgess: It can't be the same bird, can it?
Roderick Burgess: Did he tell you to say that? Did he? Hmm?
Alex Burgess: No, Father. He didn't say anything.
Roderick Burgess: Prove it to me. Shoot the fucking bird… Ethel.
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Maurice: Fucking hell.
Noel: Shall we call the fire brigade?
Maurice: We are the fire brigade. Come on.
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Roderick Burgess: Idiot. You could have shattered the glass… Clear that mess up.
Dream: The savagery of my captors bespoke a world whose dreams in my absence turned darker still…
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Dream: A world which would soon be at war again. A world still ravaged by the disease which doctors named... Encephalitis lethargica.
Patient: I just want to sleep, please.
Dream: Some begged for sleep that would not come. Others lived as perpetual sleepwalkers. Most slept without waking.
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Paul: Sorry, sir. What's that you're reading?
Alex Burgess: Uh... I'm afraid I'm doing much more sleeping than I am reading at the moment.
Paul: Have you read Vile Bodies? Now that'll keep you awake.
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Alex Burgess: You all right?
Ethel Cripps: Well, I'm going to have a baby.
Alex Burgess: That's wonderful news.
Ethel Cripps: He wants me to get rid of it. In fact, he's... Calling the doctor right now… I'll be fine… Not your worry.
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Roderick Burgess: What is it? What's wrong?
Ruthven Sykes: She's taken it all… The helmet, the pouch, the ruby, the grimoire, and 200,000 in cash.
Roderick Burgess: She's taken far more than that. Find her. Bring her back here now.
Ruthven Sykes: Where are you going?
Roderick Burgess: To see how badly Dream of The Endless wants out of his cage.
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Roderick Burgess: The woman who lives with me has gone and robbed me of my fortune. She's also robbed you… She's taken your helm, your sand and your ruby. Now, I can unlock this, you can go after her... If you give me what I've been asking for. Wealth, youth, immortality. Oh, you're a god. These things are nothing to you. Don't you want your weapons and your freedom? Speak to me! Speak to me! Speak to me! Come on! Speak to me!
Alex Burgess: It's all right, Father.
Roderick Burgess: Get away from me. If you were any kind of son to me... If Randall were alive today...
Alex Burgess: If Randall were alive, he would hate you as much as I do.
Rogers: Sir?
Roderick Burgess: You're never getting out of there… Never.
Rogers: Sir, can you hear me?
Rogers: Sir? He's not moving. Is he... He's dead… Don't do it, sir. He'll kill us… What would your father say?
Alex Burgess: I need to think.
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Paul: Sir? Are you all right?
Alex Burgess: My father, he, uh... He's dead.
Paul: I'm so sorry, sir… I'm so sorry, Alex.
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Dream: Out of loss, new love was born, as was new life. For nine months later, Ethel Cripps gave birth to a son.
Ethel Cripps: My mum used to say that if I was good, when I went to sleep, a man would come, sprinkle sand in my eyes… Make all of my dreams come true. But the Sandman's not coming. From now on, Johnny, you and I are going to have to make our own dreams come true. And nothing and no one is going to stand in our way.
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Alex Burgess: How is he today, Rogers?
Rogers: Buggered if I know, sir. Moved his hand this morning. Right hand.
Paul: Oh, my God. Alex?
Alex Burgess: Hello… This is my friend, Paul… Paul, this is our unwilling guest. Look, we've been talking, Paul and I, and if I let you out, will you promise not to harm us? If you could just speak to us. You see, I told you.
Paul: I'm telling you, you have to keep trying. Show him that he can trust you. Show him that you mean it.
Alex Burgess: I do mean it. Just promise that you won't harm me or Paul, and I will let you out.
Dream: Should I have believed him this time? Should I have forgiven him for murdering my raven? Perhaps. But in the end... I could not.
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Alex Burgess: I could have asked you for wealth or power, like my father did. But all I ever wanted was to be free of you. Surely you want that too.
Paul: Alex, darling, please.
Alex Burgess: Take me upstairs, Paul. I won't be coming down here again.
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Ernie: Old Dracula here's not givin' an inch.
Fred: Why do you call it Dracula?
Ernie: 'Cause I think it's one of them Draculas. What do you think it is?
Fred: I try not to. You know what I think about? Majorca. Four days... And I'll be on a beach. Stinking of suntan lotion.
Ernie: Lucky bugger. I was on Corfu on holiday once. I met this right fit type at the hotel in the morning...
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Ernie: Fred! Fred, stop it! You'll... Fred!
Fred: Don't move! Stay where you are!
Ernie: What... What's he got in his hands? Oi! Open your hands, now!
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Alex Burgess: Paul? Well, hello. Where did you come from?
Dream: Hello.
Alex Burgess: It's... It's you. You're... You're free.
Dream: I am… And you have any idea what it was like? Confined in a cage for over a century? Do you understand the damage you've done to your world?
Alex Burgess: I'm sorry. I... I didn't know. Please.
Dream: Your punishment, then, shall be a gift. I give you this, the gift... Of eternal... Sleep.
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Paul: Alex. Alex, wake up, please.
Dream: More than a century of tortured sleep, of Dreams and Nightmares running riot was coming to an end.
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Corinthian: He's free. He's out of his cage… So, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to run. And I'm not gonna stop until I've reshaped this world to look just like me.
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Lucienne: Sir. Sir! Oh, my goodness. Sir… It's me. It's Lucienne.
Dream: Lucienne.
Lucienne: You're home, my Lord.
Dream: I am.
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Lucienne: Forgive me, sir, but... The realm, the palace... They are not as you left them.
Dream: What happened here? Who did this?
Lucienne: My Lord, you are The Dreaming, The Dreaming is you. With you gone as long as you were, the realm began to... Decay and crumble.
Dream: And the residents? The palace staff?
Lucienne: I'm afraid most have gone.
Dream: Gone?
Lucienne: Some went looking for you.
Dream: And the others?
Lucienne: They thought, perhaps, you'd grown weary of your duties and...
Dream: What? Abandoned them? Had they so little faith in me? Do my own subjects not know me?
Lucienne: If I may, sir. It wouldn't be the first time one of The Endless had just...
Dream: Enough. I will not have Dreams and Nightmares preying on the waking world. I will bring them all back… I made this realm once, Lucienne… I will make it again.
